Matt’s review: Rich golden colour as one can expect for an oaked Napa Chardonnay, but it’s the balance and freshness on the finish that makes the Franciscan Napa Chard a (value-priced) wine to get excited about. The nose displays a fragrant bouquet of sweet yellow apple, pear, and baked vanilla-almond french toast. Franciscan’s Napa Valley Chardonnay is rich and luscious in style yet with an elegant fresh finish which winemaker Janet Myers aims to achieve each vintage, thanks in part to sourcing some of her Napa Chardonnay from slightly cooler vineyards where the fruit displays great freshness. Barrel fermented in a blend of French and American oak, only 27% first use, and left sur lie for seven months to contribute to aromatic, flavor, and textural complexity, the palate is creamy with layers of rich baked apple, pear, spice, and subtle tannins on the finish. A Chardonnay with great texture that would be wonderful alongside rosemary roasted pork with maple apple sauce. Tasted March 2018. 90+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca